Health insurance

Find out what kind of health insurance you need and how to enrol

Good health starts with making sure you have up-to-date health insurance. UBC requires that all students, both domestic and international, have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies.

Apply for the BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) when you arrive

If you are an international student you must apply for MSP for yourself and any family members who come with you as soon as you arrive in BC, as processing your MSP application can take several months.

Overview of basic and extended health insurance

Basic health insurance overview

Everyone living in British Columbia for more than six months is required to enrol in MSP

You should apply for MSP immediately upon your arrival. As there is a three-month waiting period before MSP coverage will start, you must ensure you have basic health insurance for those first three months in British Columbia. Canadian citizens or permanent residents are advised to join the Global Campus Health Plan during that three-month MSP waiting period.

You will be automatically enrolled in iMED, a temporary health insurance that provides you with basic coverage during the three-month waiting period for MSP.

Extended health insurance overview

All students are automatically enrolled in the UBCSUOHealth and Dental Plan when registering for classes (except exchange students paying tuition at their home university). Extended health insurance covers up to 80% of the cost of prescription medicine, dental care, vision care, and travel insurance.

All UBC students are required to have extended health insurance.

If you are an exchange student and you pay tuition at your home university, you are not automatically enrolled in the Health and Dental Plan. You may, however, be eligible to apply once you arrive at UBC. It is important that you have extended health and dental coverage while you are in Canada. Visit the student union office or visit http://www.ubcsuo.ca/services/health-and-dental/

Already covered by an extended health and dental plan?

You can request to opt out of the Health & Dental Plan. If you register for term one (winter term) and you want to opt out, you must do so within the first three weeks of classes or within the first three weeks of your registration date, whichever is later. Contact the UBCSUO Office in the UNC for more information.

UBC requires that all students, both domestic and international, have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies

Health insurance details for international students

International student health insurance

All international students are required to have basic and extended health insurance for the duration of their studies at UBC, as health care in Canada can cost thousands of dollars per day if you do not have valid health insurance. Accompanying family members are also required to have basic and extended health insurance.

Basic health insurance during first three months in Canada

Basic health insurance after first three months in Canada

Extended health insurance for duration of studies at UBC

What you need

iMED

temporarily, until you are eligible for MSP (or for the entirety of your studies if you are a one-term exchange student)

BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)

unless you are a one-term exchange student or you plan on staying in BC for less than six months.

AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan

or similar extended health insurance from another source. The information below pertains to the AMS/GSS Health and Dental Plan.

What it covers

Doctor visits (for injury or illness)

Hospital visits

Doctor visits

Hospital visits

Tests

Vision care

Dental care

Up to 80% of prescription drug costs

Travel health coverage (outside of home country)

Coverage period

First three months from the month of arrival in Canada,or

Full term if you are a one-term exchange student.

As long as you remain enrolled and eligible for MSP.

Your MSP coverage expires when your primary immigration document expires, such as your study permit or post-graduation work permit. You are responsible for notifying Health Insurance BC about the extension of your stay in Canada before the expiry date on your BC Services Card in order to continue being covered by the MSP plan.

Term one: September 1 to December 31

Term two: January 1 to August 31

Approximate cost

$180 for three months,or

$252 for one term exchange students.

The fee is charged to your student account.

Fees are subject to change.

Effective January 1, 2015,
MSP Monthly Rates:

$72.00 per month for an individual,

$130.50 for a family of two,or

$144.00 for a family of three or more.

You pay directly to MSP. Some employers may pay some or all of your MSP fees. Check with your employer for more information.

Fees are subject to change.

$219.31 per year.

The fee is charged to your student account.

Fees are subject to change.

How to enrol

You are automatically enrolled when registering for classes.

Your iMED card will be sent to you shortly afterwards via email.

If you have family members, you are responsible for adding them to iMED.

You must apply for MSP for yourself and any family members who come with you as soon as you arrive in British Columbia

Processing your MSP application can take several months.

Once processed you will receive invoice from MSP with your CareCard so you can pay and get covered.

You are automatically enrolled when registering for classes(except exchange students paying tuition at their home university).